A pilot died Wednesday morning after a single-engine aircraft went down and burst into flames in north Fort Worth, authorities confirmed during a press conference.
Fort Worth Fire Department crews were dispatched around 9:55 a.m. to Bonds Ranch Road between Willow Springs Road and Business 287, an area situated near Hicks Airfield. First responders arrived to find the plane fully engulfed in flames.
After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters discovered one man inside the wreckage. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No other individuals were injured in the incident.
The crash occurred in close proximity to a residential neighborhood but officials confirmed no homes were struck. Fire department representatives emphasized during the press conference that the incident remained isolated and no other people were involved.
The downed aircraft also brought down nearby power lines, leaving some surrounding homes without electricity. Utility crews were dispatched to the area to assess the damage and restore power to affected residents.
The impact also ignited a grass fire in the area which firefighters were able to bring under control. Social media video circulating shortly after the crash showed the wreckage burning along the roadway.
Investigators said they have not yet determined whether the plane was departing or approaching the nearby airfield or what flight path it had been following. Authorities noted the aircraft had already crashed before the first emergency call was received.
The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene Wednesday morning and the National Transportation Safety Board was en route to assist with the investigation. The two federal agencies will jointly lead the inquiry into what caused the crash.
Bonds Ranch Road between Willow Springs Road and Business 287 was closed as emergency personnel and investigators worked the scene. Fort Worth police said the duration of the closure was uncertain and urged motorists to seek alternate routes in the area.
The cause of the crash remains under active investigation.